In Australia, as in the UK, the voting system is at breaking point In 2010 Australia delivered its first hung parliament since 1940. A seemingly freak one-off, the election followed a period of unrest in the incumbent Labor Party (ALP) who had replaced their Prime Minister Kevin Rudd after just... Posted 04 Jul 2016
We can do referendums better in the UK. Here’s how. This article was first published by Times Red Box Last week’s referendum raised some serious questions about the nature of the democracy we have – and the type we want to create. Unlike other countries,... Posted 30 Jun 2016
A Mayor for the Bucharest of Us Bucharest, Romania’s largest city and capital, has had a rocky four years since the 2012 local elections. The city is governed by a city-wide mayor and general council, and divided into six pizza-slice shaped sectors... Posted 07 Jun 2016
The Irish election: How PR can keep the local link The General Election in Ireland last month was an earthquake in Irish politics. Ireland now has a vastly more diverse political landscape, with the results a reflection of a major decline in party loyalties –... Posted 29 Mar 2016
The government should let union members choose how they vote Tomorrow, the Chancellor will present his budget for the year ahead. But it’s not the only important thing happening: though it won’t be dominating the headlines, the government’s controversial Trade Union Bill will reach one... Posted 15 Mar 2016
Lessons from referendums While we’re nowhere near Switzerland or California in constantly using referendums, the UK is becoming accustomed to big constitutional votes. In 2011, the ballot on switching to the Alternative Vote was only the second UK-wide... Posted 01 Mar 2016
Obvious Route for Australian Senate Reform Ignored Interest in the Australian political system has been building over the last couple of weeks over a proposal to make some notable reforms to the electoral system for the Senate. Each of Australia’s six States... Posted 23 Feb 2016
An Elected Lord? The British constitution, its parliament and its institutions are well known for its oddities and eccentricities: the space provided in the Commons cloakroom for MPs to hang their sword; the fact that all swans in... Posted 18 Sep 2015
The New Zealand Flag Referendum For many years the New Zealand flag has been the subject of much debate. Adopted when New Zealand was still a part of the British Empire, their national standard has the British flag within it.... Posted 18 Aug 2015
Why calls for Liz Kendall to drop out are nonsense The rise of Jeremy Corbyn has, it goes without saying, completely shifted the terms and nature of the Labour leadership debate. The panic in much of the Labour Party elite is palpable – whether it... Posted 24 Jul 2015